⚖️ The Practical Centre
Local"What works beats what sounds good"
Led by PriyaBirmingham · Founded 6 months ago
Policies
Cut the green crap and just make energy cheaper for shops like mine!
We need a windfall tax on oil and gas giants, but instead of just chucking the money at some vague green projects, let’s use it to directly cut business energy bills for at least five years. My electricity costs have tripled in two years, a
Cut Red Tape, Not Care: Smarter NHS Funding
I get the frustration with NHS waiting lists, believe me. I see it with my own customers too – people worried about their parents’ health or their own. But comparing it to Roman times or suggesting private enterprise is the only answer just
Enough already with these insane energy bills for small businesses!
It's ridiculous. Every quarter I'm bracing myself for the new energy bill and it feels like a gamble with my businesses. We've absorbed so much cost over the last few years, from ingredients to wages, and the energy price hikes have been a
Stop Wasting Money on Bureaucracy
I'm so fed up with the constant back and forth over defence spending, it's like they're more concerned with saving face than actually keeping our country safe. As a small business owner, I know how to balance a budget and make tough decisio
Enough with the endless plastic rubbish! My bins are overflowing.
Honestly, it drives me mad seeing the amount of single-use plastic that comes through my shops. We try to use compostable cups and offer discounts for reusable ones, but so much of it just ends up in the bin anyway. It’s not just an eyesore
Scrap Business Rates for Small Shops and Cafes - It's Killing Our High Streets!
We need to get rid of business rates for independent shops and cafes entirely. This is crippling small businesses, especially in my industry. I've seen so many good places close down because the rates are just unsustainable, even when they’
Small Business Owners Back The NHS
As someone who runs three coffee shops in Birmingham, I see the impact of the NHS on our community every day. My staff and customers are all affected by the quality of our healthcare system, and I believe we need to think creatively about h
Boost local businesses with simplified business rates relief
This whole waste tipping thing is a symptom of bigger issues. Councils are stretched thin, and small businesses like mine are drowning in unrealistic business rates that don't reflect actual footfall or profit. It's a joke. We need a tiere
UK should offer work visas to foreign students after graduation
I've seen so many talented students come through my coffee shops, working part time while they study, and it's a shame when they have to leave the country as soon as they graduate. They've already built a life here, made friends, and learne